America and Japan could use giant robots in their next war

Feb 4, 2020 5:24 PM PST

1 minute read

SUMMARY

Anyone who has watched a lot of Japanese anime knows that giant robots are a major theme. Heck, the first four “Transformers” films have netted almost $3.8 billion at the box office since making their debut in 2007. In August, American and Japane…

Anyone who has watched a lot of Japanese anime knows that giant robots are a major theme. Heck, the first four "Transformers" films have netted almost $3.8 billion at the box office since making their debut in 2007. In August, American and Japanese robots will go head-to-head in real life – and we could be seeing some of the classic military sci-fi coming to life.

We've seen Optimus Prime engage in some giant-robot fighting on the big screen, but in real life, Megabot Mk III and KURATAS will go head-to-head this summer. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

According to a report by FoxNews.com, the American company Megabots issued the challenge to the Japanese robotics firm Suidobashi in 2015 after Megabots had completed the 15-foot tall, six-ton Megabot Mark II. The Japanese company accepted the challenge, but insisted that hand-to-hand combat be allowed before agreeing to commit their battle bot, KURATAS.

Megabots then spent two years re-designing its robot warrior to address the changed dynamics of the duel. They also needed to be able to transport the robot inside a standard shipping container. That meant the company had to be able to quickly deploy the Megabot Mark III — a 16-foot tall, 12-ton behemoth — from an air transportable configuration. That's not an easy task when you consider there are 3,000 wires, 26 hydraulic pumps, and 300 hydraulic hoses to bolt into place.

Plus, the robot's 430-horsepower engine was originally designed to move a car, not power a piloted robot in a duel to the death – of the robot, that is.

KURATAS, Suidobashi's giant fighting robot. (Youtube screenshot)

"When we show our robot to people who haven't heard of us, the reaction is always 'Oh! I saw that in...' and then they list any of 60 or 70 different video games, movies, [or] animated shows that feature giant robots fighting. We're trying to bring the fantasies of sci-fi fans around the world to life," Megabots co-founder and CEO Gui Cavalcanti said.

Which robot will emerge victorious, and which one will turn into scrap? We'll find out this summer. Will we eventually see these robots in the military? Don't bet against it. Meanwhile, watch the challenge Megabots issued to Suidobashi.